Florida A&M football coach Taylor steps down immediately

FAMU's Joe Taylor, who had announced his retirement last Saturday, won't be coaching the Rattlers against Bethune-Cookman in the Florida Classic.

By BRENT WORONOFFSTAFF WRITER

This year's Florida Classic already was going to be without the Florida A&M band, which had been suspended for the year. Now FAMU coach Joe Taylor will also be missing when the Rattlers meet Bethune-Cookman in the annual rivalry game Nov. 17 in Orlando. Taylor announced Saturday that he planned to retire at the end of the season. But FAMU athletic director Derek Horne said Wednesday that Taylor has stepped down immediately and defensive coordinator Earl Holmes will take over the team for its final two games. “Coach Taylor and I both decided it was best for him to step aside so that the team can focus on the last two games of the season,'' Horne said in a statement. “We want to thank Coach Taylor for his years of service here at FAMU and wish the best in his future endeavors.'' Taylor, 62, ends his 40-year coaching career -- 30 as a head coach -- tied for third on the all-time wins list of historically black colleges and universities with Southern's Arnett “Ace'' Mumford. Taylor finishes his career with a record of 233-96-4, two wins behind former Tennessee State coach John Merritt. “With the enormous amount of coverage that my retirement has been receiving, I felt it best to step aside and let the team focus on the last two games,'' Taylor said. “With me it has always been about the student-athletes, not me.'' Taylor coached at Howard (1983), Virginia Union ('84-91), Hampton ('92-07) and FAMU ('08-12). He won eight MEAC titles at Hampton and compiled a 35-19 record in his five years at Florida A&M. This season was his first season in Tallahassee that his Rattlers (3-6) did not have a winning record. B-CU coach Brian Jenkins said he was “kind of jolted'' when he heard the news Saturday of Taylor's retirement. “I think a lot of Coach Taylor,'' Jenkins said. “For a while there, he was the main guy (among black college football coaches). He was the guy that was winning. He was the guy that was producing young men in the NFL as well as in society on a productive end. He was the guy that everybody was talking about. And everywhere he has been he has made an impact.''